Health Encyclopedia

Colostomy

Definition

Colostomy is a surgical procedure that brings the end of the large intestine through the abdominal wall. Stools moving through the intestine drain into a bag attached to the abdomen.

Alternative Names

Intestinal opening

Description

The procedure is usually done after bowel resections or injuries and it may be temporary or permanent.

Colostomy is done while you are under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). It may be done with invasive, open surgery or several small surgical cuts (laparoscopically).

The type of approach used depends upon what other procedure needs to be performed. In general, the incision is made in the abdomen. The bowel resection or repair is performed as needed.

For the colostomy, the end of the healthy colon is brought through the abdominal wall. The edges are stitched to the skin of the abdominal wall. A bag called a stoma appliance is secured around the opening to allow stool to drain.

Indications

There are a number of reasons to perform a colostomy:

Infection of the abdomen, such as perforated diverticulitis
Injury to the colon or rectum (for example, a gunshot wound)
Rectal cancer
Wounds or fistulas in the perineum -- the area between the anus and vulva (women) or scrotum (men)

Whether a colostomy is temporary or permanent depends on the specific disease or injury. In most instances, colostomies can be reversed.

Risks

Risks for any anesthesia are:

Reactions to medications
Problems breathing

Risks for any surgery are:

Bleeding
Infection

Additional risks are:

Development of a hernia at the incision site
Narrowing or obstruction of the colostomy opening (stoma)
Skin irritation

Expectations after surgery

The colostomy drains stool (feces) from the colon into the colostomy bag. Most colostomy stool is softer and more liquid than stool that is passed normally. How liquid the stool is depends on the location of the segment of intestine used to form the colostomy.

Convalescence

Recovery from this type of surgery is mostly related to the condition or procedure for which the colostomy was performed. Most patients are started on a special diet within 48 hours of surgery.

You'll need to learn how to care for the colostomy and ostomy appliance.

Review Date:5/15/2008
Reviewed By:Robert A. Cowles, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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